MyMachine Global is proud to announce it started a collaboration with The New York Academy of Sciences. Today Hank Nourse – Director Digital Content Strategy and Instructional Design, met again with MyMachine global Co-Founder Piet Grymonprez in New York.

The New York Academy of Sciences is the world’s nexus of scientific innovation in the service of humanity. For nearly 200 years—since 1817—the Academy has brought together extraordinary people working at the frontiers of discovery and promoted vital links between science and society. Throughout its history, the Academy’s Membership has featured leaders in science, business, academia, and government, including U.S. Presidents Jefferson and Monroe, Thomas Edison, Louis Pasteur, Charles Darwin, Margaret Mead, and Albert Einstein. Today, the Academy President’s Council includes 27 Nobel Laureates as well as CEOs, philanthropists, and leaders of national science funding agencies. The Academy has a three-pronged mission: to advance scientific research and knowledge, to support scientific literacy and to promote the resolution of society’s global challenges through science-based solutions.

Hank Nourse: “I was one of those kids who loved school. It was the anticipation of learning new things, the promise of discovery, the sense of possibility that excited me. When I learned about MyMachine, I recalled that sense of excitement and wonder. MyMachine indulges children’s imaginations, and reminds those of us who aren’t children how rewarding it is to dream, explore, and create.

MyMachine’s innovative approach to learning and making embodies many of the principles outlined in the STEM Education Framework of the academy. Throughout the process of conceiving these machines, students develop many other 21st-century skills, like strengthening critical-thinking and problem-solving abilities as they grapple with how best to turn a child’s concept into reality. The MyMachine program also distinguishes itself by encouraging students to exercise agency and persistence—two capacities that are essential to success not only in STEM fields but in adult life. MyMachine’s instructional approach is an excellent example of two important practices advocated in the framework: real-world application and project-based learning.”

MyMachine is growing fast. Only 2 years ago co-founders Jan Despiegelaere – The Community Foundation of West-Flanders, Filip Meuris – Leiedal and Piet Grymonprez – HOWEST University of Applied Sciences, started with a franchise system to launch MyMachine outside of Belgium (Europe). Only 3 weeks ago, the latest of the franchises stepped in, The Carpathian Foundation, to start MyMachine Slovakia. Up to this date, all of this is adding up to 7 countries (Belgium, France, Slovenia, Portugal, Slovakia, South Africa and USA) on 3 continents. Piet Grymonprez: “As MyMachine is growing rapidly, so does its impact. That’s why the New York Academy of Sciences is considering the MyMachine Global Foundation as strategic partner”. The collaboration between the two organizations will focus on strengthening each others methodologies and online services.